Background to this inspection
Updated
4 August 2021
The inspection
We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.
As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.
Inspection team
The inspection was carried out by two inspectors during the out of hours visit and one inspector over subsequent two days.
Service and service type
Brendoncare Woodhayes is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.
The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.
Notice of inspection
We gave a short period notice of the inspection during the day time to ascertain the COVID-19 arrangements before our visit. The night time visit was unannounced.
What we did before the inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with three people who used the service and received feedback from one relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with eight members of staff including the registered manager, quality assurance manager, senior care workers and care workers. We reviewed a range of records. This included three people's care records and multiple medication records. We looked at three staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training data and quality assurance records. We also spoke with the local safeguarding team.
Updated
4 August 2021
About the service
Brendoncare Woodhayes is a care home providing nursing and personal care for up to 27 older people. At the time of the inspection there were 20 people living at the home. The service is a large older style building on two floors with gardens to the front and back.
People's experience of using this service and what we found
Brendoncare Woodhayes had a visible person-centred culture which ensured that staff in all roles were highly motivated and offered care and support that was compassionate and kind. There was a good ethos within the service of treating people with dignity and respect. People were at the forefront of the service delivery and the registered manager and team were committed to and passionate about providing a good quality service. We received positive feedback from people and a relative. Any issues were taken seriously and swift action taken by the registered manager supported by head office. The feedback reflected staff were kind, caring and committed.
Staff, supported by the activity co-ordinator, recognised what was important to people and ensured that people's personal needs, wishes and preferences were delivered. Safe access to visitors and leisure activities had been well managed to ensure promotion of positive wellbeing for people and their loved ones.
Care and support plans were reviewed and changed as people's needs changed. The service worked closely with healthcare professionals. People were supported to maintain good health and to meet their nutritional needs.
Staff told us they were supported by the management team with empathy and understanding. Many staff had worked at the service for some years. There had been some difficult times during the pandemic but these had been managed well with additional support for staff and recognition of their hard work. The registered manager, provider and management team provided supportive leadership and had developed a dedicated staff team who were committed to the vision and values of the service.
The provider had effective quality assurance systems, led by the Head of Quality and Compliance, which were used to drive improvement. People living at Brendoncare Woodhayes told us they received safe care from skilled and knowledgeable staff. Staff knew how to identify and report any concerns.
The provider had safe recruitment and selection processes in place. Risks to people's safety and well-being were managed through a risk management process. There were sufficient staff deployed to meet people's needs, with staff working together to cover shifts during the pandemic.
Medicines were managed safely, and people received their medicines as prescribed. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
Rating at last inspection The last rating for this service was Good (published 12 February 2019)
Why we inspected
The inspection was prompted in part due to concerns received about some areas of care at night such as re-positioning, fluid management and staff teamwork. We found no evidence during this inspection that people were at risk of harm from this concern.
We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.
No areas of concern were identified in the other key questions. We therefore did not inspect them. Ratings from previous comprehensive inspections for those key questions were used in calculating the overall rating at this inspection. The overall rating for the service therefore remains Good. This is based on the findings at this inspection.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.